Washington, the Indispensable Man - A French Bombshell, Trouble All Around, A Tragic Departure and Opposite Hands Across the Ocean Summary & Analysis

James Thomas Flexner

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A French Bombshell, Trouble All Around, A Tragic Departure and Opposite Hands Across the Ocean Summary and Analysis

On April 22, 1793, Washington issues a Neutrality Proclamation declaring America's neutral position in the war between France and England and promising legal action against any US citizen discovered to have helped either country. Both Jefferson and Hamilton publish papers on opposing sides of the Proclamation, and ultimately France sends a new ambassador, Edmond Charles Genet. Instead of reporting to Washington in Philadelphia, Genet lands in Charleston, South Carolina, where he revels in parties and lobbies for US support for France. Genet defies the Neutrality Proclamation by raising a militia of private ships as well as other support of US citizens. Washington's diplomatic requests that Genet cease his activities go unheeded, and Genet is ultimately...